Age Means Nothing

Gloria Gaynor reappears in Houston as the Summer National Senior Games igniteDiscovery Green

Designed by Ward and Ames Special Events, the cauldron draws its form from theshooting stars that encircle the 2011 Senior Games logo. The six-foot-wide,25-foot-tall bowl was engineered by Haynes Whaley Associates, Inc. and built ofpowder-coated steel by the Fretz Construction Company.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Gloria Gaynor peformed "I Will Survive"
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Harry Pepper holds the torch above his head.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Harry Pepper and Kay Glenn come into the park with the torch.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Harry Pepper and Kay Glenn exult after lighting the cauldron to herald the startof the Senior Games.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Spokane Sparx (women softball team ages 50 - 54): Gary McGlasson (coach), left,Colleen Dewitt, Marcia Bertholf, Rebecca Nielsen. They won the bronze medal inthe last Senior Games.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Senior athletes, from left, Debbie Trebotich (basketball, horseshoe andbadminton); Majorie Webb (basketball and badminton); Emma "Scottie" Scott(badminton).
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Ezra Charles also performed at the caldron lighting ceremony.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Bowling team, from left, Margie Kegerreis, Rose Roylo, Beverly Moss, GwenCarlson, Bill Kegerreis
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Gloria Gaynor got the crowd to sing along.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
An oversized screen televised the action.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
The crowd began gathering before dark.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III
Harry Pepper, Peggy McClure
photo by Adolfo Chavez III
The cauldron will be given to the city of Houston after the Senior Games endJune 30.
Photo by Adolfo Chavez III

The city's sports community came out in full force on Thursday evening for the arrival of the 2011 Summer National Senior Games' torch at Discovery Green. The spirited ceremony boasted a cameo by Gloria Gaynor, who applauded the participants, saying, "I want to commend all the athletes. We have to lead by example to show younger generations the importance of health." The diva is an avid supporter of medical initiatives, including the American Diabetes Association and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. After developing osteoarthritis of the knee, she worked with Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. to produce a slew of exercise videos entitled, "W.A.K.E. Up & Flex."

During a "howdy partner" address by Dana Brown, chair of the games' Board of Directors, the flame was likened to the passion of the participating athletes.

Two of those athletes, Harry Pepper and Kay Glynn, stole the show. A baseball and football player in high school, 100-year-old Pepper has biked and bowled his way to the top of the Senior Games. A bonafide bowler since 1939, he boasts a high score of 220. His tip? Aim for the head pin.

Helping Pepper carry the torch to completion was Glynn, 58, who has competed since age 51, amassing medals in track and field, pole vault and high jump. Glynn and Pepper's display of athletic ferocity was followed by a post-torch-lighting fireworks extravaganza that would put any Fourth of July celebration to shame.

The torch relay launched on June 8 at the Johnson Space Center, with Apollo 7 astronaut Walt Cunningham carrying the torch on its journey across Texas. Before its Discovery Green entrance, the torch whizzed by the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi under the watchful gaze of retired USS Lexington captain and Senior Games athlete F.W. "Rocco" Montesano. After that, the torch was passed along San Antonio's Riverwalk and Alamo, Lady Bird Lake in Austin and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Back in East Texas, the flame touched down at the George Bush Presidential Library on the west campus of Texas A&M University as the Games' honorary chairs, George and Barbara Bush, watched. Following a stop at the Spindletop Gladys Boomtown Museum in Beaumont, the torch traveled across the bay to Moody Gardens in Galveston.

The flame's final destination was a cauldron at the center of Discovery Green. Designed by Ward and Ames Special Events, the cauldron draws its form from the shooting stars that encircle the 2011 Senior Games logo. The six-foot-wide, 25-foot-tall bowl was engineered by Haynes Whaley Associates, Inc. and built of powder-coated steel by the Fretz Construction Company. After the Games' final relay, the structure will be donated to the City of Houston.

The original Olympic tradition of carrying the torch commemorates the theft of fire from the Greek gods. For the next two weeks, nearly 9,000 seniors from across America will prove that they've still got a fire inside.

Click here to learn more about the events associated with the Senior Games.

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pucker up

Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.

Photo courtesy of The Picklr

A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

“Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

pickleball openings

Age Means Nothing

Gloria Gaynor reappears in Houston as the Summer National Senior Games igniteDiscovery Green

pucker up

Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

Innovative Houston chef is the city's newest James Beard Award winner

Houston burger mastermind fires up new pop-up devoted to Philly cheesesteaks

Houston company ranks No. 13 worldwide on new Forbes Global 2000 list